Contact: Monica Stoneking
(517) 896-4929
Campaign: Donate Blood
Details:
Be Prepared for Any Emergency. Donate Blood
The American Red Cross encourages everyone to be prepared for all types of situations. When there is a need in your community, the Red Cross is there. But, everyone can do simple things that will make a positive difference when every second counts.
The Red Cross recommends three things most everyone can do to prepare for disasters or other emergencies: Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.
“The beauty is, those steps can be taken in advance, helping most everyone to be prepared,” said Sharon Jaksa, CEO for the Great Lakes Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross.
Supporting blood donation or giving blood is also critical to any community preparedness plan since hospitals need blood on the shelves to respond to patient needs. Hospital patients need about 40,000 blood donations each day for ongoing or emergency medical needs. And when adequate supplies of blood are available every day of every week, the Red Cross can help ensure a swift response when and if blood needs intensify.
Blood is typically available to patients 24 to 48 hours from the point of donation because of the various steps involved in testing, processing, and distributing components like red cells, platelets and plasma. While many people roll up their sleeves during times of disaster, the key to a strong blood supply, Red Cross officials say, are steady and consistent donations throughout the year.
“It’s human nature to want to help when disasters strike,” said Jaksa. “By taking some precautionary steps today—like donating blood—you’ll be helping, too, since you’re empowering yourself and our nation to face the unexpected.”
For more information on being Red Cross Ready and for preparedness fast facts, visit redcross.org. To make an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
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